He told BBC News Online: "Mr Harrison usually keeps himself to himself although he is known locally, but we do respect his privacy.

"Henley is a very wealthy area but his house is particularly isolated. The house is a gothic palace, I think you would describe it as a Victoriana pile, with three entrances and I think a lot of his family live in the lodges in the grounds."

A very private person

David Cheney, landlord of Henley's Row Barge pub, which is about 150 yards from the gates of Mr Harrison's mansion, said he had not seen the musician more than three times in 20 years.

"George is well-liked in the town," said Mr Cheney.

You very rarely see him out in public and his interests have really dwindled over the years because he has kept himself a very private person

International Beatles Fanclub

"This just isn't the kind of thing you expect here. I would imagine it's a fan rather than someone local."

Jean Catharell, founder of the International Beatles Fanclub, told Sky News: "I was absolutely shocked. I couldn't believe it would happen to someone like George who is the least visible of all the surviving Beatles.

"You very rarely see him out in public and his interests have really dwindled over the years because he has kept himself a very private person."